The feature article for this DITC e-Newsletter is called "Why
Were The Grace Gifts Of Servant Leadership Given?" by Sandy Simpson.
This is a study of Ephesians 4:11-16. The passage explains the grace gifts
of servant leadership, why they were given, and how they are to be applied.
I'm afraid that more and more Christians "leaders" today have forgotten
what the grace gifts are all about. It is my prayer that this little
article will help remind us that Eph. 4:11-16 is key to a correct "worldview"
as a Christian leader today. It is unfortunate that there seems to be a
move afoot in many churches where testing and discernment is no longer
deemed important or that it is a "divisive" issue to be avoided at all
costs. But Eph. 4 tells us clearly that we, as Christian leaders, are there
to bring the body of Christ to maturity so they will not be divided
and driven about by every wind of doctrine.

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It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some
to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare Godís
people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of
God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of
Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the
waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning
and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking
the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head,
that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every
supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does
its work. (NIV)

WHAT ARE THE GRACE GIFTS OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP TODAY?

The grace gifts of leadership, or more accurately servant leadership,
are listed as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers or
pastor-teachers, depending on your interpretation. The gift of foundational
Apostleship is no longer our concern as no one today fits the criteria
to be a foundational apostle. The teachings of the foundational Apostles
and prophets (Eph. 2:20) are what the Church is built upon, Christ being
the chief Cornerstone and Foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-11). The Apostles
were those who saw the Lord while He was on earth before he ascended into
heaven (1 Cor. 9:1) and the Lord did true signs, wonders and miracles through
them to authenticate their ministries (2 Cor. 12:12). They wrote Scriptures
(Matthew, John, Peter, Paul, etc.). They were persecuted and all but one
(John) were martyred for the Faith (1 Cor. 4:9 and the Pre Nicene Fathers
writings). Finally, Paul said that he was the last, in sequence, of the
original foundational Apostles (1 Cor. 15:7-8). We are to use the
Word of God, through Jesus Christ, taught to us by the Apostles and prophets,
as the basis for our Christian life (2 Peter 3:2, Jude 17).

There is no one today who can meet the biblical criteria to be a foundational
Apostle. But there are "apostles" in the Church today, "sent out"
ones, messengers, mainly church planting missionaries, but they are not
foundational to the Church.

The gift of prophecy is also somewhat different today. There are no
longer any "foundational" prophets (Eph. 2:20)--those who wrote Scripture
(Samuel, Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.)--who were often martyred for
the Faith (Luke 11:47-48, Rev. 18:24) though some may yet be killed in
our day--and upon whom the Church has its foundation (2 Pet. 3:2), in Christ
the Foundation and Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6). There are prophets today.
But they are also to be held up to the same standards as any biblical prophet.
What they prophesy must be biblical and what they predict must come true
(Deut. 13:1-3, 18:20). Otherwise they are to be considered false prophets
and the Church should not listen to them (Jer. 23;16, Matt. 7:15, 2 Pet.
2:1 1 John 4:1). This criteria also applies to any of the grace gifts.
If evangelists are preaching a false gospel (Gal. 1:9), if pastors and
teachers are not teaching sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3, Titus 1:9, 2:1),
they are all to be regarded as heretics and rejected after a few admonitions
if they do not repent (Titus 3:10).

Today the main role of a prophet is to exegete the written Word through
which Jesus Christ speaks (Heb. 1:1-2) to instruct and edify the Church
(1 Cor. 14:31) He does not rely on his own interpretations (2 Pet. 1:20).
The Holy Spirit speaks through the living written Word (Heb. 4:12), which
we are not to go beyond (1 Cor. 4:6), and out of that comes the guidance
of the Lord for the Church. As a prophet elaborates upon the Word, prophecy
for the church today often comes forth. The Lord can and still does speak
through dreams and visions (Acts 2:17) but dreams and visions must be tested
(1 Thes. 5:21) by the Scripture (2 Tim. 3:15-16) which is our highest authority,
as the Holy Spirit breathed the words through men--the very Word of God.
I would also add that you can be sure that those who give themselves the
title of apostle or prophet today, tooting their own horn loudly in the
public arena, are false apostles (2 Cor. 11:13) and false prophets (Mark
13:22).

The roles of evangelist, pastor and teacher continue today as they did
in the first century.

WHY WERE THE GRACE GIFTS GIVEN?

Now that we have established who modern day apostles, prophets, evangelists,
pastors and teachers are, let's move on to the main reason why these grace
gifts of servant leadership were given. Let's step through the passage
above.

... to prepare Godís people for works of service
...

First, the purpose of the grace gifts of servant leadership is to prepare
God's people for works of service. If a person is not a servant himself,
he will not know how to train others to be servants. Servants serve, they
are not there to get others to serve them. We serve God first, then we
serve others. False Third Wave teachers are haughty, self-absorbed, self-proclaimed
leaders who claim gifts from God yet use them to get themselves a title
and lord it over men. They have no idea how to be servants themselves,
therefore they cannot prepare anyone for works of service in the body of
Christ, or to preach the Gospel to the world. True apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors and teachers use their grace gift to serve in humility.

... so that the body of Christ may be built up ...

This is not talking about numbers, church size, "salvation" statistics.
It is talking about the spiritual body of Christ being built into a house.

Eph. 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens,
but fellow citizens with Godís people and members of Godís household, built
on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself
as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together
and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too
are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his
Spirit.

This passage is talking about the same building, the Church. It is a
spiritual building, not a physical temple. The Holy Spirit now dwells in
the temple of the individual spirit of the true believer, and in the body
of Christ as a whole. As leaders, we are not to be concerned as much with
quantity as with quality. We care what people believe, that they are believing
the right thing, and that they walk in that belief. The reason for
the grace gifts is not to build mega-churches but to build upon the foundation
of Christ taught by the Apostles and prophets. This means that those who
have the grace gifts of servant leadership will be teaching sound doctrine
as a basis for true unity.

Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message
as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound
doctrine and refute those who oppose it.Titus 2:1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

... until we all reach unity in the faith and in
the knowledge of the Son of God ...

So then, "unity" is not referring to ecumenical unity. It is not talking
about interfaith dialog. It is not even referencing the unity we already
share in the Holy Spirit by virtue of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
We already have that as the body of Christ. So what kind of unity is this
referencing? It is talking about unity in doctrine, unity in the knowledge
of Jesus Christ! The whole purpose of the gifts it to bring about unity
in the core doctrines of the Faith, in the knowledge of God. That unity
can be broken by heretics, the divisive ones. This is why we are to reject
divisive heretics because they cause disunity in the body of Christ.

Titus 3:10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him
a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

The word for "divisive" in Greek is "hairetikos" from which we get the
word "heretic". A heretic is a person who teaches against the core doctrines
of the Faith.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people,
just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly
introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who
bought themó bringing swift destruction on themselves.Romans 16:17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who
cause divisionsand put obstacles in your way that are contrary
to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

Heresy causes divisions over the core doctrines, and puts obstacles
in the way of people becoming mature in the Faith.

... and become mature ...

How can someone with the grace gifts teach someone else to be mature
if they themselves are not? What does becoming mature mean? It means growing
from an infant to an adult spiritually. It means going from milk to solid
food. It means growing in wisdom and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings
about Christ and go on to maturity ...Colossians 1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live
a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit
in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,Heb. 5:13-14 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,
is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food
is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish
good from evil.

Notice that those who are mature eat solid food, and that solid food
trains them to distinguish good from evil. Infants cannot tell the difference.
That's why many infant Christians can be so easily led astray by heretics.
It is of vital importance for those in servant leadership to prepare the
body of Christ to eat solid food so that they can stand against false teaching,
false prophecy and false "anointings".

... attaining to the whole measure of the fullness
of Christ ...

Can any Christian be exactly like Christ? Certainly that is our goal.
But while we are here on earth we still have our old sin nature in the
flesh and mind, and the temptations of the enemy to contend with. Jesus
Christ was in the same situation as we are, but never sinned. We will never
be able to make that claim. Fortunately, as we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
(1 John 1:9). God the Father then no longer sees our unrighteousness, but
sees the righteousness of His Son through the blood He shed for us. However,
that doesn't mean we don't strive for maturity in Christ, to the whole
measure of the fullness of Christ. To do that we must be crucified with
Christ daily.

Galatians 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified
the sinful nature with its passions and desires.Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I
no longer live, but Christ lives in me.The life I live in the body,
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for
me.Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come
after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

We no longer live for the desires of the flesh, but we "live by faith
in the Son of God". The perfect measure of the fullness of Christ will
have its ultimate fulfillment when we are resurrected to eternal life--but
there is also a fullness, an abundant life to be experienced now as we
are crucified with Christ and follow Him.

John 10:10b I have come that they may have life, and have
it to the full.Eph. 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably
more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work
within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

We are saved by grace, and it is also the power of the Holy Spirit working
in us Who can bring us to the fullness of Christ. We cannot do that on
our own. What we must do is to submit to the Spirit, study and obey the
Word, stay in sound doctrine.

... Then we will no longer be infants ...

Infants cannot swim in a rough sea. They will drown. Mature adults know
how to swim and the techniques of survival. They have read the materials
and know how to use them. Infants have little understanding and so they
can be engulfed by the seas of doctrinal confusion. Those with the grace
gifts are to bring infants to maturity by teaching them sound doctrine
and giving them the tools to survive on the oceans of life. This is the
MAIN
REASON FOR THE GRACE GIFTS!

... tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown
here and there by every wind of teaching ...

The winds of false teaching today are greater than ever before in the
history of the Church. Many "Christians" have abandoned the truth for teachers
that tell lots of stories with little or no redeeming spiritual value.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from
the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

They are false leaders, and though a few of them may even have been
given true spiritual grace gifts in the past, they are now using them for
greedy gain and to become famous. Their followers no longer have a love
of the truth, and are immature believers, if they are believers at all.
Those who are true leaders in the body of Christ will prevent Christians
from being tossed about by every wind of doctrine, by being watchmen. A
shepherd not only feeds the flock, but also guards it from wolves.

Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and
blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come,
and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity;
but
his blood will I require at the watchmanís hand.Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you
in sheepís clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall
grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

... and by the cunning and craftiness of men in
their deceitful scheming ...

Here we find that those who teach false doctrine are also those who
scheme. Their cunning and crafty ways show that they have another spirit,
because Satan is the father of lies, not the Holy Spirit. Therefore they
are often after people's money, a following, fame, and power over people.
They teach the things that people most want to hear because they know they
will reap the rewards of fame and fortune. They claim to be sheep, but
they are wolves who eat sheep for breakfast. It is these very schemers
that those with grace gifts must steer people away from. The Apostles and
even the prophets of the Old Testament did that by naming names. We can
do no less.

... Instead, speaking the truth in love ...

Now we move on to how to accomplish bringing Christians to maturity
and unity in the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints. We must speak
the truth. We must love people. We must speak the truth in love.

The most loving thing you can do for a non-Christian is to ultimately
preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them.

The most loving thing you can do for a Christian is to teach him the
truth so he can grow.

The most loving thing you can do for a deceived Christian is to show
him the truth and warn him away from false teachers.

The most loving thing you can do for a deceiver is to rebuke him sharply,
once or twice, then if he refuses to repent (which he almost always does)
reject him--turn him over to Satan for the destruction of his body so that
his spirit may have the opportunity to be saved (1 Cor. 5:5, 1 Tim. 1:20).
If he repents, then accept him back in the body. If he does not, warn others
away from him, don't let him near the flock and continue to pray for his
salvation. But do everything out of love.

I love how Jude described our duty:

Jude 20-25 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in
your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves
in Godís love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to
bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others
from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fearó hating
even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to
keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without
fault and with great joyóto the only God our Savior be glory, majesty,
power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now
and forevermore! Amen.

... we will in all things grow up into him who is
the Head, that is, Christ ...

We are to grow up, mature. We are to grow up to be like Jesus Christ.
He is our Head. We are not the Head, He is the Head. We are the body and
must continue to grow spiritually. It is the responsibility of those with
servant leadership grace gifts to be sure Christians are growing into the
likeness of Christ, and that can only be done through the Holy Spirit and
the Word of God and the correct application of the grace gifts.

... From him the whole body, joined and held together
by every supporting ligament ...

We are one body in the Faith. A body cannot live without the Head, but
it also cannot function properly without a thumb, an eyeball, a leg, etc.
We are joined together not my some kind of ecumenical or interfaith unity,
but by the Holy Spirit. That unity is then strengthened and brought to
maturity by the unity we have because of our common belief in and
obedience to the commands of God in His Word.

... grows and builds itself up in love ...

As we grow in the unity of the essentials of the Faith, we will grow
in love. As we become mature, stay away from false teachers, reach out
in love to those who are falling -- we build ourselves up in love. Love
is more than saying you love someone or something. It is action. Love is
not afraid of being persecuted or hurt for the sake of the truth. Love
is not the sycophantic romantic notion of love we see and hear so much
about these days, even in the churches. Love is born of sacrifice, even
to the point of death. Are Christian leaders willing to suffer persecution
for their stand for the truth? If not, then the body of Christ cannot be
built up in love.

... as each part does its work.

The main problem today in "Christendom" is that each part is no longer
doing its work. Many "Christians" have been convinced that their main goal
in life is--to do spiritual warfare in the heavenlies--to bind territorial
spirits--to spend time on the carpets of churches laughing and acting like
animals--to be "drunk in the spirit"--to make a big Pharisiacal show of
their monetary giving--to travel to where the newest Christian show is
being put on to get another "anointing" that doesn't exist--to pretend
to worship God when they are singing with arms uplifted in churches while
they live like the devil during the week at home--to forge ecumenical ties
with everyone who says they "believe in Jesus", no matter how bizarre their
theology or how weird they act--to build mega churches that spend all their
time thinking up programs and none of their time preaching the gospel--to
be afraid to support discernment ministries while supporting all kinds
of other unbiblical mission ventures ... These are the signs of leadership
in churches that have forgotten their role to bring Christians to maturity
and get them away from false teaching. They have lost THE MAIN REASON
FOR THE GRACE GIFTS!

It is my prayer that more Christian leaders will rediscover the reason
they have been given grace gifts and use them in accordance with the will
of God laid out in the written Word of God. Those who love the Lord obey
His commands!